3. Knowledge, Practice and Attitude of Mothers Regarding Oral Rehydration Salt
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Usman Ali Faisal, Alia Rubab and Shahzadi Asma Tahseen |
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ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess awareness about the knowledge; attitude and behaviour of mothers about use of ORS.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Pediatric Outpatient Department, Civil Hospital Bahawalpur from May 10, 2015 to July 25, 2015.
Methods and Materials: This study was conducted on mothers who attended Pediatric Outpatient Department, Civil Hospital Bahawalpur with 2 months to 5 years old child having history of diarrhea at the time of visit of the hospital or within the last two weeks. The mothers were interviewed by the one of the researchers using a structured questionnaire about ORS including the demographic data.
Results: There were 200 mothers included in this study. Their mean age ± SD was 27.78± 7.637years. Among the studied mothers 18.5% were having at least secondary school certificate and 90% mothers were house wives. 4.5% mothers did not hear about ORS, 50.5% heard it from medical practitioners, 33.5% from some family member/ neighbours while 16.5% from media. ORS use within the last two weeks was in 44.5% cases of diarrhea. 49% mother gave opinion that it ‘stops diarrhea’, 29.5% ’does not know’ while 21.5% gave opinion that it ‘stops dehydration.’ 38% mothers knew the correct technique for making ORS solution. 35% mother were in the opinion of giving ORS to the child by ‘cup and spoon’ in 70 (35%), 34% by cup and 31% by feeding bottles. There were only 34% mothers could prepare ORS correctly. 33% mothers described the c rrect am unt of ORS solution to be given to the child while 41.5% mothers replied to continue giving ORS even if child developed vomiting
Conclusion: The awareness of mothers about the use of ORS is m derate. Further community based research is needed in this respect.
Key Words: Oral rehydration salt; Awareness; dehydration; Diarrhea
Citation of article: Faisal UA, Rubab A, Tahseen SA. Knowledge, Practice and Attitude of Mothers Regarding Oral Rehydration Salt. Med Forum 2016;27(8):10-12.